Tablet dispenser



April 28, 1964 E. J. LACHANCE 3,130,862

TABLET DISPENSER Filed May 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l .l j 2,3 INVENTOR I l2 l0 J H a 22 24 BY 7 1 M W V f ATTORNEY April 8, 1964 E. J. LACHANCE 3,130,862

TABLET nzspzussn Filed May 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvmon ERNEST J. LACHANOE v ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,130,862 TABLET DISPENSER Ernest J. Lachance, Leominster, Mass, assignor to Miles Imoratories, Inc., Ellthart, Ind., a corporation of n =ana Filed May 24, 1%1, Ser. No. 112,309 6 Claims. (Cl. 221-154) This invention is concerned with a novel tablet dispenser and, more particularly, with simple and practical tablet dispenser which delivers one tablet at a time.

It is common practice today to purchase many medicinals over the counter in tablet form and in quantity, for example, aspirin, laxatives, and the like. In addition, physicians often prescribe therapeutic regimens for individuals and families requiring the purchase of tableted drugs in quantity, for example, vitamins, tranquilizers, barbiturates, etc. Generally, these therapeutic agents are purchased packaged in ordinary bottles, jars, and boxes. In order for the user to obtain the required number of tablets for dosage from such packages, it is necessary in the case of a bottle or jar to invert same and dump the tablets into the hands or on a table surface. In any event, in this manner of dispensing, it is relatively difiicult or impossible to obtain the exact number of tablets required, necessitating the replacement of some of the tablets into the package after contact with the hands, thus contaminating those not used. Where packaged in boxes, it is difiicult to extract a tablet without contacting contiguous tablets.

In addition, a major problem arising in the use of common medicinal packages is the easy access to the medicinals afforded to children, often leading to dangerous and fatal consequences when the child has such easy access. Physicians are called on every day to treat children who have gotten hold of a bottle or box of pills and have swallowed a dangerous quantity.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel tablet container and dispenser which will dispense only one tablet at a time. Another object of this invention is to provide a tablet dispenser which will require some manipulation or skill on the part of the user, making it relatively difficult, time consuming, and perhaps impossible for children to manipulate or, in any event, sufliciently involved in its operation to discourage a child from access to the tablets contained therein.

A further object is the provision of a tablet dispenser of a novel construction which enables the user to dispense one tablet at a time without inverting the dispenser or contacting other tablets in the dispenser. Still another object is the provision of a tablet dispenser which is simple in construction, efiicient in operation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. An additional object is to provide a refillable tablet dispenser which is strong, durable and attractive in appearance.

The dispenser of the present invention includes a base, a vertical post mounted on the base extending upwardly therefiom, and a container for a plurality of tablets having a downwardly sloping bottom merging into a sleeve slidable on the vertical post. The container has an inwardly sloping top provided with an aperture therein. The top of said vertical post is adapted to register with the aperture in the top of the tablet container closing off same when the dispenser is not being used. The top end of the post is further provided with a peripheral flange which engages with the top of the sleeve in the opening at the base of the container, preventing removal of the tablet container from the post. The top end of the post has a slight inwardly directed slope adapted to receive a tablet to be dispensed. In order to dispense one tablet, the container is raised along the vertical post until the peripheral flange of the post engages with the 3,130,862 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 sleeve at the opening in the base of the container whereupon one tablet will fall onto the inwardly sloping depression on the top of the post. When the container is lowered, the tablet will be ejected from the opening in the container.

Another embodiment of the invention includes locking means between the base and the container comprising a bayonet slot on the vertical post adapted to be engaged with an inwardly directed stud disposed within the sleeve of the container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts have been designated by the same numerals:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a tablet dispenser of this invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a side elevation of the dispenser of this invention in the closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 shows a side elevation of the present invention partly in section showing the tablet container portion of the dispenser in raised position;

FIGURE 5 is a view in cross-section of the base of the dispenser showing the locking arrangement for the dispenser;

FIGURE 6 is a view in cross-section taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5, showing in detail the locking arrangement of the dispenser;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view in section of the dispenser tablet container illustrating an embodiment of this invention wherein the top of said container is removable and showing the locking means for securing said top to the tablet container;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a fracturable locking device for rendering the dispenser inoperable during shipment;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the fracturable locking means of FIGURE 8 after the dispenser has been placed in operation.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 in detail, the dispenser is shown in the closed position and comprises a base formed of a generally cylindrical cup-shaped portion 2 and a coaxial upstanding cylindrical post 6, which is rigidly mounted on base 2 by anchoring means 8 to be integral therewith. A generally cylindrical container 4 is axially slidably and rotatably mounted on the post 6 and comprises a funnel-like bottom wall or base 10 merging into a bearing sleeve 12 slidably mounted on post 6. While container 4 and sleeve 12 may be molded as a one-piece unit, in the preferred embodiment said container and sleeve are separately molded and thereafter connected by suitable means. Top wall 14 of container 4 slopes downwardly and inwardly toward the opening 16 therein. The top of post 6 has a concave upper end surface and is adapted to register with the opening 16 in the container top 14 to the end that when the container is lowered the upper end of the post is positioned within and substantially closes off the said opening and said concave upper surface substantially reg isters with the upper surface of the top wall 14. It is understood that the dispenser may be varied greatly as to shape and size, however, in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the cup-shaped base portion 2 and the container 4 are frusto conical in shape, it being apparent that said container and base portion have the same taper. It will also be observed that the outer diameter of the lower end of the container 4 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the upper end of the cup-shaped base portion 2, so that when the container is in its lowered position of FIGURES 1 to 3,

the container 4 forms an extension of said base portion 2.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the container 4 is shown in the raised position for filling or just prior to dispensing a single tablet. While in this position the container may be filled through opening 16. The top end of post 6 is provided with a peripheral flange 18 forming a head thereon which engages with the top of the sleeve 12 at the base of the container 4 when the latter is in its raised position shown in FIGURE 4 to the end that removal of the tablet container from post 6 is prevented.

In operation, the tablet container 4 is raised along post 6 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4 to permit filling thereof with tablets, indicated by the numeral 26, through opening 16. The container 4 is then lowered and ready for operation. To dispense one tablet it is simply necessary to raise container 4 until the peripheral flange 18 on post 6 engages with the top of sleeve 12 in the base of container 4 and the concave upper end surface on said post substantially registers with the upper surface of the lower end of the funnel-shaped container bottom wall 16, whereupon a table drops into the upper end surface of post 6. When container 4 is thereafter lowered, the single tablet remains seated on the concave upper end surface of the post 6 and is dispensed through opening 16.

Referring now to FIGURES and 6, an embodiment of this invention is shown to include a locking means between container 4 and base 2 which comprises bayonet slot 29 on post 6 adapted to receive a stud 22 directed inwardly thereinto from the interior surface of sleeve 12. In operation, when the container is in the lowered position relative to post 6, a partial twist of container 4 will cause stud 22 to slide into the horizontal portion of bayonet slot 20, locking said container to the base member 2. In order to operate the dispenser it is seen that a reverse twist will unlock the container and place the dispenser in operating condition, that is, stud 22 on sleeve 12 will slide into the vertical portion of bayonet slot 20, allowing container 4 to be raised or lowered. It is easily seen that the manipulation required for the dispensing of one tablet coupled with the locking means renders access to the tablets difiicult for children.

FIGURE 7 depicts an embodiment of this invention wherein container top 14 is removable for filling and attachable to the body of cointainer 4 by suitable locking means. In the embodiment shown, a snap-type locking means is shown as comprising an undercut bead 28 which engages with inwardly directed companion bead 30 at the top of container 4. Where it is desired to fill the dispenser prior to offering for sale using an assembly line technique, it is preferable that the container top be removable.

Where the dispenser is filled, for example, by the tablet manufacturer, it is further contemplated to provide rupturable seal means or breakable locking device means for the container and base to prevent relative movement of said container and base during shipment to the retail outlet and the ultimate consumer. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, a plurality of integral fingerlike projections 32 extend vertically and upwardly from anchoring means 8 in base 2 which projections are wedgingly secured or welded into holes 34 in the bottom of sleeve 12. When it is desired to place the dispenser in condition for operation, a slight twist of container 4 with respect to base 2 fractures projections 32 to the end that the dispenser is ready for operation.

It is apparent that the dispenser of this invention may be manufactured from any one of the many rigid molding materials available on the market today, for example, glass, plastic, and the like. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, container 4 is molded of a transparent rigid plastic which enables an immediate observation of the quantity of tablets contained therein, while Post 6 is molded 7 weight to the dispenser base.

It will also be apparent that the construction of this invention may be modified to accommodate tablets of many shapes, for example, spheroid, ovoid, and the like. In addition, changes in forms, size, arrangement of parts, operation, and mechanical details may be made.

It is therefore obvious that these and other modifications may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, only such limitations should be imposed as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tablet dispenser comprising a base including an integral upstanding cylindrical post, a tablet container having a top wall formed with an opening therein and having a downwardly directed funnel-shaped bottom wall terminating in a bearing sleeve axially slidable and rotatable on said post and aligned with said opening, said container having a lowered position wherein said sleeve is adjacent said lower end of said post, said post being formed at its upper end with a head portion having a concave upper surface of a size to receive a single tablet, said head portion having a diameter larger than the bore of said sleeve and affording stop means limiting upward travel of said container along said post to a raised position wherein the upper surface of the lower end of said funnel-shaped bottom wall is positioned in substantial registry with the concave upper surface of said head portion, said post being of such length that when said containeris in its lowered position the head of said post is positioned within said top wall opening and a tablet disposed on the concave upper surface thereof is exposed externally of said container and accessible for manual removal, and means for locking said container in said lowered position, comprising at least one fracturable member fixedly joining said container and base, said at least one member being fracturable by relative rotation of said container and base to release said locking means and permit vertical movement of said container toward its said raised position.

2. A tablet dispenser for dispensing one tablet at a time comprising a base, a vertical post mounted centrally on said base, and extending upwardly, the top of said post being inwardly sloping to receive a single tablet and having a peripheral flange, a container for a plurality of tablets, said container having an annular funnel-like base, a sleeve slidable on said central post and integrally connected with said funnel-like base of said container, the diameter of the bore of said sleeve being smaller than the diameter of the peripheral flange on said post, thereby preventing a removal of the container from the post, said container having a removable, inwardly sloping top provided with a central aperture therein, and the top of said post being adapted to register with said central aperture of said top, means for affixing said container to said base prior to purchase by a customer and initial operation of said dispenser, comprising a plurality of vertically upwardly directed fingerlike projections attached within said base and adapted to be engaged within holes in the lower end of said sleeve to the end that said container is aifixed to said base until said fingerlike projections are fractured by a twist of said container with respect to said base.

3. A tablet dispenser comprising a supporting base including an integral upstanding cylindrical post, and a tablet container having an annular side wall and a shallow funnel-shaped top wall sloping downwardly from said side wall to a central circular opening therein, said container also having a downwardly directed funnelshaped bottom wall terminating in an annular bearing portion slidable on said post and aligned with said opening, said container having a lowered position wherein said bearing portion is adjacent the lower end of said post, said post being formed at its upper end with a circular head portion having a concave upper surface of a size to receive a single tablet, said head portion having a diameter larger than the bore of said bearing portion and affording stop means limiting upward travel of said container along said post to a raised position wherein the upper surface of the lower end of said funnel-shaped bottom wall is positioned in substantial registry with the concave upper surface of said head portion, said post being of such length that when said container is in its lowered position the circular head of said post is positioned within said circular top wall opening, such that a tablet disposed on the concave upper surface of said head is exposed externally of said container and accessible for manual removal.

4. A tablet dispenser comprising a base including an integral upstanding cylindrical post, a tablet container having a top wall formed with an opening therein and having a downwardly directed funnel-shaped bottom wall terminating in a bearing sleeve axially slidable and rotatable on said post and aligned with said opening, said container having a lowered position wherein said sleeve is adjacent the lower end of said post, said post being formed at its upper end with a head portion having a concave upper surface of a size to receive a single tablet, said head portion having a diameter larger than the bore of said sleeve and affording stop means limiting upward travel of said container along said post to a raised position wherein the upper surface of the lower end of said funnel-shaped bottom Wall is positioned in substantial registry with the concave upper surface of said head portion, said post being of such length that when said container is in its lowered position the head of said post is positioned within said top wall opening and a tablet disposed on the concave upper surface thereof is exposed externally of said container and accessible for manual removal, and means for locking said container in said lowered position, comprising a plurality of fracturable integral fingerlike projections extending from one of said container and base toward the other generally parallel with said post, said projections each having a press fit in an accommodating hole formed in the other of said container and base, said projections being fracturable by relative rotation of said container and base to release said locking means and permit vertical movement of said container toward its said raised position.

5. A tablet dispenser comprising a cup-shaped base having a generally cylindrical frusto-conical wall portion and an integral coaxial upstanding post portion, and a hollow tablet container having a generally cylindrical frusto-conical wall portion having an outer diameter at its lower end substantially equal to the outer diameter of the upper end of said base side wall portion, said container and base side wall portions having substantially the same taper, said container having a top wall formed with a circular opening therein and having a downwardly directed funnel-shaped bottom wall terminating in an annular bearing portion slidable on said post and aligned with said opening, said container having a lowered position wherein it coaxially rests on the upper edge of said base side wall portion with said bearing portion enclosed within said cup-shaped base and disposed adjacent the lower end of said post, said post being formed at its upper end with a circular head portion having a concave upper surface or" a size to accommodate thereon a single tablet, said head portion having a diameter larger than the bore of said bearing portion and affording stop means limiting upward travel of said container along said post to a raised position wherein the upper surface of the lower end of said funnel-shaped bottom wall is positioned in substantial registry with the concave upper surface of said head portion, said post being of such length that when said container is in its lowered position the head of said post is positioned within said circular top wall opening, and a tablet disposed on the concave upper surface thereof is exposed externally of said container and accessible for manual removal.

6. A tablet dispenser comprising a cup-shaped base having a generally cylindrical frusto-conical side wall portion and an integral coaxial upstanding post portion, and a hollow tablet container having a generally cylindrical frusto-conical side wall portion coaxial with said base side wall portion and having an outer diameter at its lower end substantially equal to the outer diameter of the upper end of said base side wall portion, said container and base wall portions having substantially the same taper, said container having a shallow funnel-shaped top wall sloping downwardly from said side wall to a central circular opening therein, said container also having a downwardly directed funnel-shaped bottom wall terminating in an annular bearing portion slidable on said post and aligned with said opening, said container having a lowered position wherein it coaxially rests on the upper edge of said base wall portion with said bearing portion enclosed within said base and disposed adjacent the lower end of said post, said post being formed at its upper end with an enlarged circular head portion having a concave upper surface of a size to accommodate thereon a single tablet, the diameter of said head portion being larger than the bore of said bearing portion and affording stop means limiting upward travel of said container along said post to a raised position wherein the upper surface of the lower end of said funnel-shaped bottom wall is positioned in substantial registry with the concave upper surface of said head portion, said post being of such length that when said container is in its lowered position the head of said post is positioned within said circular top wall opening, such that a tablet disposed on the concave upper surface of said head is exposed externally of said container and accessible for manual removal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,031 Bartholomew May 22, 1917 1,486,690 Scheliga Mar. 11, 1924 1,680,826 Viola Aug. 14, 1928 1,700,519 Sherrill Jan. 29, 1929 1,959,957 Kaparin et al May 22, 1934 2,531,300 Schloer Nov. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,872 Switzerland Mar. 5, 1899 599,200 France Oct. 13, 1925 608,623 France Apr. 24, 1926 

1. A TABLET DISPENSER COMPRISING A BASE INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL UPSTANDING CYLINDRICAL POST, A TABLET CONTAINER HAVING A TOP WALL FORMED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN AND HAVING A DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED FUNNEL-SHAPED BOTTOM WALL TERMINATING IN A BEARING SLEEVE AXIALLY SLIDABLE AND ROTATABLE ON SAID POST AND ALIGNED WITH SAID OPENING, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A LOWERED POSITION WHEREIN SAID SLEEVE IS ADJACENT SAID LOWER END OF SAID POST, SAID POST BEING FORMED AT ITS UPPER END WITH A HEAD PORTION HAVING A CONCAVE UPPER SURFACE OF A SIZE TO RECEIVE A SINGLE TABLET, SAID HEAD PORTION HAVING A DIAMETER LARGER THAN THE BORE OF SAID SLEEVE AND AFFORDING STOP MEANS LIMITING UPWARD TRAVEL OF SAID CONTAINER ALONG SAID POST TO A RAISED POSITION WHEREIN THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE LOWER END OF SAID FUNNEL-SHAPED BOTTOM WALL IS POSITIONED IN SUBSTANTIAL REGISTRY WITH THE CONCAVE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID HEAD PORTION, SAID POST BEING OF SUCH LENGTH THAT WHEN SAID CONTAINER IS IN ITS LOWERED POSITION THE HEAD OF SAID POST IS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID TOP WALL OPENING AND A TABLET DISPOSED ON THE CONCAVE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF IS EXPOSED EXTERNALLY OF SAID CONTAINER AND ACCESSIBLE FOR MANUAL REMOVAL, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID CONTAINER IN SAID LOWERED POSITION, COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE FRACTURABLE MEMBER FIXEDLY JOINING SAID CONTAINER AND BASE, SAID AT LEAST ONE MEMBER BEING FRACTURABLE BY RELATIVE ROTATION OF SAID CONTAINER AND BASE TO RELEASE SAID LOCKING MEANS AND PERMIT VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CONTAINER TOWARD ITS SAID RAISED POSITION. 